Our Story
Two Air Force veterans. A lifelong friendship. One shared mission.
Martina Schmidt Founder & Chairwoman
Julie Miller Co-Founder & Vice Chairwoman
She Served Initiative was founded in 2023 by Air Force veteran and photographer Martina Schmidt, inspired by a simple belief: women veterans deserve to be seen, recognized, and remembered.
Like many women veterans, Martina often experienced having her own military service overlooked, with people assuming her husband was the veteran. Determined to change that perception, she asked herself, “How can I use my photography to make a difference?”
That question became the foundation of She Served Initiative. Martina shared her vision with longtime friend and fellow Air Force veteran Julie Miller. The two had served together in the early 1990s and remained close despite their different military assignments. Julie immediately embraced the idea and has been part of the initiative since its founding.
Together, they are dedicated to honoring women veterans through photography and storytelling, ensuring their service is recognized and their stories are preserved for generations to come.
Our Mission
The She Served Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring women veterans through professional photography and storytelling.
We preserve their experiences, celebrate their service, and ensure their contributions to our nation’s military history are recognized and remembered.
Meet Our Team
Martina Schmidt Founder & Chairwoman
An Air Force veteran and professional photographer, Martina founded She Served Initiative in 2023. She combines her passion for photography with her commitment to recognizing women veterans, capturing portraits that celebrate their service and preserve their stories for future generations.
Julie Miller Co- Founder & Vice Chairwoman
A fellow Air Force veteran and co-founder of She Served Initiative, Julie has been an integral part of the organization since its founding in 2023. As Vice Chairwoman, she works closely with Martina to coordinate projects, connect with women veterans, and ensure their stories are thoughtfully documented and preserved.
Kathrine Loro Secretary & Board Member
A Navy veteran and dedicated board member of She Served Initiative, Kathrine Lorio serves as Secretary and Social Media Manager. She helps keep the organization connected and organized while sharing the stories of women veterans through social media, expanding awareness of their service and the mission of She Served Initiative.
Kimberly Mortson Graphic Designer
Kimberly has been the creative force behind She Served Magazine since its founding in 2023, transforming the stories and photographs of women veterans into beautifully designed publications. Owner of Small Moments Invitation + Design, she also generously volunteers her talents with Operation Shower, a nonprofit supporting military families. Her creativity and dedication bring every She Served edition to life.
Sheryl Binetti Lead Biography Writer & Utah Outreach Coordinator
A U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve veteran, Sheryl has been an invaluable member of She Served Initiative since its founding in 2023. As our lead biography writer, she brings the experiences of women veterans to life through thoughtful, engaging storytelling. She also serves as our Utah Outreach Coordinator, helping expand our mission and connect with women veterans in the community.
Ange Keske Copy Editor
An Air Force and Air Force Reserve veteran, Ange served as a Public Affairs Officer and Air Force Academy Admissions Liaison Officer. As She Served Initiative’s dedicated proofreader, she brings a keen eye for detail to every veteran’s biography, ensuring each story is polished and accurately presented. Ange also remains active in her South Carolina community, serving on the executive boards of the Tega Cay Women’s Club and Tega Cay Veterans Association.
Jessica Johnson Digital Graphic Designer
An Air Force veteran and talented digital graphic designer, Jessica brings creativity and a fresh perspective to She Served Initiative. She designs the visual layouts that showcase our women veterans on social media and throughout our website, helping bring their stories to life. Her work plays an important role in creating a consistent visual identity and sharing our mission with a wider audience.
Gabby Compton Senior Editorial Reviewer
An English scholar and Professor of Women’s Studies at Kennesaw State University, Gabby brings her academic expertise and editorial skills to She Served Initiative. Working alongside our editorial team, she reviews veterans’ biographies for clarity, accuracy, and consistency. After each woman has reviewed her story, Gabby provides the final editorial review before it is placed in She Served Magazine, helping ensure every biography is polished while preserving the veteran’s individual voice.
Evelyn Kim Newsletter Editor
As the youngest member of the She Served Initiative team, Evelyn brings fresh ideas and a passion for honoring veterans. A high school student, she volunteers at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, where her interest in veterans’ experiences inspired her to create a blog sharing their stories. As our Newsletter Editor, Evelyn combines her writing, design, and organizational skills to help share our mission and connect with supporters across generations.
Be Part of Her Story
Every woman who served has a story worth preserving, and you can help us share it. Whether you host a She Served event, volunteer your talents, or support our mission through a donation, you can make a meaningful difference in ensuring women veterans receive the recognition they deserve.